Hot topics close

Maine doctors say they are seeing a rise in 'walking pneumonia' cases

Maine doctors say they are seeing a rise in walking pneumonia cases
Doctors in Maine and around the country say they're seeing a rise in "walking pneumonia" cases, especially in young children.

PORTLAND (WGME) – Doctors in Maine and around the country say they're seeing a rise in "walking pneumonia" cases, especially in young children.

Nationwide, the number of two-to-four-year-olds diagnosed after visiting the ER for a pneumonia-related illness jumped from 1 percent to 7 percent over six months.

Symptoms include sore throat, extreme fatigue, chest pain, low-grade fever and headache.

Doctors say some cases can be severe, but in many cases, people can have walking pneumonia and not even know it.

"You may have these symptoms for some time and a lot of the times, they'll just resolve on their own,” MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland Emergency Medicine Vice Chair of Clinical Operations Dr. Samir Haydar said. “There are some instances where atypical pneumonia can develop and progress and definitely need a medical provider, a lot of times, these will resolve on their own."

Doctors say if you're not sure if you or your child has walking pneumonia or something else, you can get tested to get the right treatment.

Doctors also say walking pneumonia can develop from viruses like the flu, COVID or measles, so vaccinating against those viruses can reduce risk of getting walking pneumonia.

Similar news
News Archive
  • Water polo
    Water polo
    Men's Water Polo - Croatia vs Italy
    31 Jul 2024
    3
  • Mayank Yadav
    Mayank Yadav
    IPL 2024: Mayank Yadav says goal is to play for India after LSG ...
    2 Apr 2024
    9
  • Money Heist
    Money Heist
    One Good Thing: Money Heist, a joyful TV series about fighting the system
    3 Dec 2021
    7
  • Talos Energy
    Talos Energy
    Stifel Nicolaus Reiterates Buy Rating for Talos Energy (NYSE:TALO)
    2 Aug 2024
    2